Thermostat control based on activity within property

ABSTRACT

Controller technology, in which data specifying a user preference relating to an environmental parameter for a property is received. Based on data collected by a monitoring system, a location of one or more users within the property is identified. Environmental condition data for the property is accessed, the environmental condition data including environmental condition data for the location of the users within the property and other unoccupied locations within the property. The environmental condition data for the property is analyzed with respect to the preference relating to the environmental parameter for the property. Based on the analysis of the environmental condition data for the property with respect to the preference relating to the environmental parameter for the property, a setting for at least one component of an HVAC system is determined. The at least one component of the HVAC system is controlled according to the determined setting.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of Ser. No. 15/478,345, filed Apr. 4,2017, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/447,297,filed Jul. 30, 2104, which claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 61/859,840, filed Jul. 30, 2013. All of theseapplications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety forall purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application relates to system control based on location data.

BACKGROUND

Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems can utilizecontrol devices such as thermostats to allow users of a propertyassociated with the HVAC system to control environmental conditionswithin the property. In some cases, an HVAC system control device canobtain information for a location of the property to determine operationof the HVAC system components, such as the control of one or more airconditioners, furnaces, humidifiers, fans, boilers, or other HVAC systemcomponents.

SUMMARY

Techniques are described for the control of an HVAC system associatedwith a property using a disaggregated thermostat that obtains dataindicating environmental conditions at various locations within theproperty and location information that indicates likely locations ofusers within the property.

Implementations of the described techniques may include hardware, amethod or process implemented at least partially by hardware, or acomputer-readable storage medium encoded with executable instructionsthat, when executed by a processor, perform operations.

The details of one or more implementations are set forth in theaccompanying description below. Other features will be apparent from thedescription and the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A-1C illustrate an example of controlling an HVAC system using adisaggregated thermostat system.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example system capable of controlling an HVACsystem using a disaggregated thermostat system.

FIG. 3 illustrates a flow chart of an example process.

FIGS. 4A-4B illustrate an example of controlling an HVAC system based onthe locations of users of a property associated with the HVAC system.

FIGS. 5A-5C illustrate an example of controlling an HVAC system based onweather information.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Techniques are described for providing indoor environmental monitoringand control. In some implementations, a control system that includes athermostat is able to control the environment within a home, business,vacation, or other property based on data received from sensors withinthe property and other data. The control system analyzes the data andcontrols heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systemsassociated with the property to achieve a target environment within theproperty. The control system also tracks physical locations of userswithin the property and physical locations of mobile devices associatedwith users of the property, and uses the physical location informationto automatically set the thermostat associated with the property.Automated thermostat control may provide improved user comfort and/orimproved energy efficiency.

In some implementations, the control system may operate a singlethermostat as a disaggregated thermostat that intelligently controlstemperature within different zones of a property. In theseimplementations, sensors throughout different zones of the property candetect information relating to the environment in those zones, such asthe temperature and humidity in each of the zones, and the occupancy ofthe zones. Based on determining that a particular zone of the propertyis occupied, the disaggregated thermostat can access sensor dataindicating the temperature and humidity in that zone, and can operatethe HVAC system associated with the property to achieve a targettemperature and/or humidity based on the detected temperature andhumidity in the particular zone. HVAC system control using thedisaggregated thermostat can address issues of hot and cold zones thatare common in properties as a result of a traditional thermostatdetermining control of the property's HVAC system based on temperatureand humidity measurements taken at only a single location within theproperty. The disaggregated thermostat may intelligently use occupancyinformation to modify temperatures in hot and cold zones to make a zonebeing occupied most comfortable for a user, even though the modificationresults in a less desirable temperature in another zone.

FIGS. 1A-1C illustrate an example in which a disaggregated thermostat isused to control an HVAC system associated with a property. FIG. 1Aillustrates an example in which an environmental parameter, such astemperature, humidity, etc., is controlled by a thermostat that is not adisaggregated thermostat. For example, the property of FIG. 1A includesa thermostat that only measures temperature at the location of thethermostat. The thermostat of FIG. 1A can control an air conditionerassociated with the property to achieve a target temperature within theproperty based only on the temperature measurement obtained from thelocation of the thermostat. FIGS. 1B and 1C illustrate an example inwhich an environmental parameter at a property is controlled by adisaggregated thermostat. For example, the property of FIGS. 1B and 1Cis associated with a system that is able to determine a condition of theenvironmental parameter in multiple locations throughout the property,as well as the presence of users at various locations throughout theproperty. The disaggregated thermostat can determine the control of theHVAC system based on the condition of the environmental parameter at theoccupied locations of the property. For example, the disaggregatedthermostat can determine that a temperature where a user is located isabove a target temperature, and in response, the disaggregatedthermostat can turn on an air conditioner to achieve the targettemperature at the location within the property where the user islocated.

In further detail, FIG. 1A illustrates a property 100 that is associatedwith a thermostat 105 that is not a disaggregated thermostat. Theproperty 100 may be associated with an HVAC system that includes an airconditioner. The thermostat 105 of the property 100 may be able toreceive data indicating a setting for an environmental parameter, inthis case, a temperature setting of 70° F. The thermostat 105 may alsobe able to detect a condition of the environmental parameter at thelocation of the thermostat 105. For example, the thermostat 105 mayinclude a temperature sensor that can determine the temperature at thelocation of the thermostat 105. The thermostat 105 can control the airconditioner based on analyzing the temperature at the location of thethermostat 105 with respect to the temperature setting. For example, thethermostat 105 can determine that the temperature at the location of thethermostat 105 is 71° F., and based on determining that the currenttemperature of 71° F. is greater than the target temperature of 70° F.,can turn on the air conditioner.

In some instances, controlling the air conditioner based on a comparisonof the temperature at the location of the thermostat 105 to the targettemperature is not particularly helpful, since the temperature may varyat different locations throughout the property. For example, a user 150may be located in a different area (“Zone A”) of the property 100 thanthe thermostat 105 (“Zone C”). While the temperature at the location ofthe thermostat 105 may be 71° F., the temperature where the user 150 islocated may be 69° F. When the thermostat 105 determines to turn on theair conditioner based on determining that the temperature at thelocation of the thermostat 105 is above the target temperature, this maycause the temperature at the location of the user 150 to furtherdecrease, for example, to 68° F. Thus, controlling the air conditionerbased only on the temperature at a single location (e.g., the locationof the thermostat 105) can cause the temperature where the user 150 islocated to diverge further from the target temperature. Therefore,controlling the air conditioner based on the temperature at the locationof the user 150 is advantageous in that the temperature at the locationof the user 150 will be adjusted towards the target temperature, even ifthe temperature at other locations of the property diverge further fromthe target temperature.

FIG. 1B shows an example of a property 100 that is associated with anHVAC system that is controlled by a disaggregated thermostat 110. Forexample, the property 100 of FIG. 1A and the property of FIG. 1B may bethe same or a similar property that is associated with an HVAC systemalso having an air conditioner, where the air conditioner is controlledby the disaggregated thermostat 110. The disaggregated thermostat 110 isassociated with sensors 130 a-130 e that are each configured to detectthe condition of one or more environmental parameters. For example, eachsensor 130 a-130 e may be a temperature sensor that can determine thetemperature at a particular location of the property 100. Thedisaggregated thermostat 110 may also be associated with sensors thatare capable of determining conditions indicative of users being presentin a particular location within the property. For example, each of “ZoneA” through “Zone E” of the property 100 may include a motion sensor thatcan detect the presence of a user within that zone. In someimplementations, the sensors configured to detect the presence of usersin various locations can be the same sensors 130 a-130 e that are alsoconfigured to detect the condition of environmental parameters at theproperty 100. In addition, the sensors capable of detecting the presenceof users and the sensors 130 a-130 e capable of detecting the conditionof the environmental parameters may be different sensors and/or sensorsthat are located in different locations within the property 100. Forexample, the sensors capable of detecting the presence of users may beassociated with a monitoring system that is associated with thedisaggregated thermostat 110. The disaggregated thermostat 110 canreceiving information from the sensors 130 a-130 e indicating thecondition of the environmental parameters at the various zones of theproperty 100, for example, the temperature at the various zones of theproperty 100, and the disaggregated thermostat 110 can also receive theinformation indicating the presence of users in the various zones of theproperty 100. The disaggregated thermostat can also receive informationindicating a preference for a target environmental parameter, forexample, a target temperature for the property 100. The disaggregatedthermostat 110 can control components of the property's 100 HVAC system,such as an air conditioner of the property 100, based on the receiveddata.

In the example shown in FIG. 1B, for instance, a user has set apreferred temperature of 70° F. for the property 100. The disaggregatedthermostat 110 can receive information indicating the temperature atvarious zones of the property 100. For example, the sensors 130 a-130 ecan determine that the temperature in the zones “Zone A” through “ZoneE” of the property 100 are 69° F., 73° F., 71° F., 71° F., and 71° F.,respectively. The disaggregated thermostat 110 can also receiveinformation indicating that a user 150 is likely located in “Zone A” ofthe property 100, based on data received from the sensors associatedwith the disaggregated thermostat 110 that are able to detect thepresence of users (e.g., motion sensors). Further, the disaggregatedthermostat 110 can receive data indicating the lack of users in zones ofthe property, for example, data indicating that users have not beendetected in any of “Zone B” through “Zone E.”

The disaggregated thermostat 110 can analyze the received data todetermine control of an air conditioner associated with the property 100that is controllable by the disaggregated thermostat 110. For example,the disaggregated thermostat 110 can compare the temperature at “ZoneA,” occupied by the user 150, to the preferred temperature. Based ondetermining that the temperature at the location occupied by the user150 (e.g., 69° F.) is lower than the preferred temperature for theproperty (e.g., 70° F.), the disaggregated thermostat 110 can determineto turn off the air conditioner, or in the event that the airconditioner has previously been turned off, to maintain the airconditioner in an off state. By not turning the air conditioning on, thetemperature at the location of the user 150 may be able to increasetoward the target temperature of 70° F., even if that causes thetemperature in other zones of the property (e.g., the zones “Zone B”through “Zone E”) to increase further beyond the target temperature.

Similarly, the example shown in FIG. 1C illustrates a scenario in whichthe user 150 is located at a zone of the property 100 (“Zone B”) inwhich the detected temperature is higher than the temperature settingfor the property 100. For example, the disaggregated thermostat 110 canreceive information indicating that a user 150 is located in “Zone B” ofthe property 100, and that the other zones of the property 100 areunoccupied. The disaggregated thermostat 110 may also receiveinformation that indicates the temperature at the various zones of theproperty 100, for example, that the temperature at “Zone B” of theproperty 100 is 73° F. Based on the received information, thedisaggregated thermostat 110 may determine that the current temperaturein the occupied zone of the property 100 is above the target temperaturefor the property 100, and may therefore turn on an air conditionerassociated with the property. By turning on the air conditioner, thetemperature in the occupied zone of the property 100 may be adjustedtoward the preferred temperature of 70° F., even if this causes thetemperature in other zones of the property to become further from thepreferred temperature. For example, the disaggregated thermostat 110 mayturn on the air conditioner to cool the property despite the temperatureat “Zone A” already being below the target temperature. In someexamples, the disaggregated thermostat 110 may determine to turn on theair conditioner based on determining that the user 150 has moved fromthe location shown in FIG. 1B, “Zone A,” where the temperature is belowthe target temperature of 70° F., to the location shown in FIG. 1C,“Zone B,” where the temperature is above the target temperature. Otherfactors may be considered by the disaggregated thermostat 110 whendetermining how to control the HVAC system components associated withthe property 100, as described hereafter.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a control system 200 configured toprovide dynamic environmental control within a property. The controlsystem 200 includes a network 205, a thermostat control unit 210, one ormore mobile devices 240, 250, and a control application server 260. Insome examples, the network 205 enables communications between thethermostat control unit 210, the one or more mobile devices 240, 250,and the control application server 260.

The network 205 is configured to enable electronic communicationsbetween devices connected to the network 205. For example, the network205 can be configured to enable exchange of electronic communicationsbetween the thermostat control unit 210, the one or more mobile devices240, 250, and the control application server 260.

The network 205 can include, for example, one or more of the Internet,Wide Area Networks (WANs), Local Area Networks (LANs), e.g., Wi-Fi,analog or digital wired and wireless telephone networks, e.g., a publicswitched telephone network (PSTN), Integrated Services Digital Network(ISDN), a cellular network, and Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), Ethernet,Internet Protocol (IP) over broadband, radio, television, cable,satellite, or any other delivery or tunneling mechanism for carryingdata. Network 205 can include multiple networks or subnetworks, each ofwhich can include, for example, a wired or wireless data pathway. Thenetwork 205 can include a circuit-switched network, a packet-switcheddata network, or any other network able to carry electroniccommunications (e.g., data or voice communications). For example, thenetwork 205 can include networks based on the Internet protocol (IP),asynchronous transfer mode (ATM), the PSTN, packet-switched networksbased on IP, X.25, or Frame Relay, or other comparable technologies andcan support voice using, for example, VoIP, or other comparableprotocols used for voice communications. The network 205 can include oneor more networks that include wireless data channels and wireless voicechannels. The network 205 can be a wireless network, a broadbandnetwork, or a combination of networks including a wireless network and abroadband network.

The thermostat control unit 210 includes a controller 212 and a networkmodule 214. The controller 212 is configured to control a system, e.g.,an HVAC system associated with a property, that includes the thermostatcontrol unit 210. In some examples, the controller 212 can include aprocessor or other control circuitry configured to execute instructionsof a program that controls operation of an HVAC system. In theseexamples, the controller 212 can be configured to receive input fromsensors, detectors, or other devices associated with the HVAC system andcontrol operation of components of the HVAC system, e.g., a furnace,humidifier, dehumidifier, or air conditioner, or other devicesassociated with the property, e.g., an appliance, lights, etc. Forexample, the controller 212 can be configured to control operation ofthe network module 214 included in the thermostat control unit 210.

The network module 214 is a communication device configured to exchangecommunications over the network 205. The network module 214 can be awireless communication module configured to exchange wirelesscommunications over the network 205. For example, the network module 214can be a wireless communication device configured to exchangecommunications over a wireless data channel. In this example, thenetwork module 214 can transmit user location data within or external tothe property, environmental data from the property, e.g., the conditionof environmental parameters indoors at the property or outdoors at theproperty, or other data over a wireless data channel. The wirelesscommunication device can include one or more GSM modules, a radio modem,a cellular transmission module, or any type of module configured toexchange communications in one of the following formats: GSM or GPRS,CDMA, EDGE or EGPRS, EV-DO or EVDO, UMTS, or IP.

The network module 214 can also be a wired communication moduleconfigured to exchange communications over the network 205 using a wiredconnection. For instance, the network module 214 can be a modem, anetwork interface card, or another type of network interface device. Thenetwork module 214 can be an Ethernet network card configured to enablethe thermostat control unit 210 to communicate over a local area networkand/or the Internet. The network module 214 can also be a voicebandmodem configured to enable the thermostat control unit 210 tocommunicate over the telephone lines of Plain Old Telephone Systems(POTS). In some implementations, the thermostat control unit 210 can bea broadband or cellular gateway where the network module 214 can enablethe thermostat control unit 210 to communicate over the network 205.

The control system that includes the thermostat control unit 210communicates with modules 220 and 230 to perform dynamic environmentalcontrol at the property. The module 220 is connected to a thermostat, isconfigured to monitor temperature and/or energy consumption of an HVACsystem associated with the thermostat, and is further configured toprovide control of the thermostat. In some instances, monitoring theenergy consumption of the HVAC system can involve determining an amountof other resources, for example, other fuels or energy sources, consumedby the HVAC system. In some implementations, the module 220 canadditionally or alternatively receive data relating to activity at aproperty and/or environmental data at a property, e.g., at variouslocations indoors and outdoors at the property. The module 220 candirectly measure energy or resource consumption of the HVAC systemassociated with the thermostat, or can estimate energy or resourceconsumption of the HVAC system associated with the thermostat, forexample, based on detected usage of one or more components of the HVACsystem associated with the thermostat. Measuring energy or resourceconsumption by the HVAC system associated with the thermostat mayinvolve determining an amount of electrical energy used by HVAC system(e.g., in units of kilowatt-hours), may involve determining an amount ofnatural gas, propane, butane, oil, or gasoline consumed by the HVACsystem, or can involve determining the usage of other energy sources bythe HVAC system. The module 220 can communicate temperature and/orenergy monitoring information to or from the thermostat control unit 210and can control the thermostat based on commands received from thethermostat control unit 210.

In some implementations, the module 220 associated with the dynamicallyprogrammable thermostat can be integrated with the thermostat controlunit 210. For example, the dynamically programmable thermostat caninclude the thermostat control unit 210, e.g., as an internal componentto the dynamically programmable thermostat. In other embodiments, thethermostat control unit 210 can be a gateway device that communicateswith the module 220 associated with the dynamically programmablethermostat.

The module 222 is connected to one or more components of an HVAC systemassociated with a property, and is configured to control operation ofthe one or more components of the HVAC system. In some implementations,the module 222 is also configured to monitor energy consumption of theHVAC system components, for example, by directly measuring the energyconsumption of the HVAC system components or by estimating the energyusage of the one or more HVAC system components based on detecting usageof components of the HVAC system. The module 222 can communicate energymonitoring information and the state of the HVAC system components tothe module 220 associated with the disaggregated thermostat and cancontrol the one or more components of the HVAC system based on commandsreceived from the module 220 associated with the disaggregatedthermostat.

The module 230 is connected to one or more sensors configured to monitoractivity within the property and the environment at the property atvarious locations, e.g., at various indoor and outdoor locations at theproperty. For example, the sensors connected to the module 230 caninclude environmental sensors, such as temperature sensors, humiditysensors, noise sensors, light sensors, air quality sensors, smokedetectors, carbon monoxide detectors, water sensors, rain sensors, windsensors, etc. The sensors can further include sensors for monitoringactivity at the property, such as one or more motion sensors, contactsensors, etc. The module 230 connected to the one or more sensors cancommunicate data obtained by the sensors to the thermostat control unit210. For example, the module 230 can transmit sensor data indicatingactivity within the property and data indicating environmentalconditions at various locations within the property, e.g., a temperatureand humidity in each room of a home, to the thermostat control unit 210.

The modules 220 and 230 can communicate with the controller 212 overcommunications links 224 and 228, and module 222 can communicate withthe module 220 over communication link 226. The communication links 224,226, and 228 can be wired or wireless data pathways configured totransmit signals from the modules 220, 230 to the controller 212 andfrom the module 222 to the module 220. The modules 220, 222, and 230 cancontinuously transmit sensed values to the controller 212, canperiodically transmit sensed values to the controller 212, or cantransmit sensed values to the controller 212 in response to a change ina sensed value.

In some implementations, the module 222 associated with one or morecomponents of an HVAC system can communicate directly with thethermostat control unit 210. For example, the thermostat control unit210 can communicate with the module 222 to send and/or receiveinformation related to controlling the components of the HVAC systemcomponents, information relating to the energy usage of the HVAC systemcomponents, or other information. In some instances, the module 220associated with the thermostat can communicate information to thethermostat control unit 210, and the thermostat control unit 210 cancommunicate the information received from the module 220 to the module222 associated with the one or more HVAC system components. In stillother implementations, one or more HVAC components 222 and thethermostat 220 may be capable of directly communicating with thethermostat application server 260. For example, the one or more HVACcomponents 222 and the thermostat 220 may be able to communicate andexchange information, such as information used to control the one ormore HVAC components 222, to the thermostat application server 260 overthe network 205. In such an implementation, the thermostat 220 maycontrol the HVAC components 222 over the network 205, for example, byusing the thermostat application server 260 as a communication gatewaybetween the thermostat 220 and the HVAC components 222 (e.g., such thatthe thermostat application server 260 operates as a cloud-basedgateway).

The control application server 260 is an electronic device configured toprovide control services by exchanging electronic communications withthe thermostat control unit 210 and the one or more mobile devices 240,250 over the network 205. For example, the control application server260 can be configured to monitor data obtained by the thermostat controlunit 210. In this example, the control application server 260 canexchange electronic communications with the network module 214 includedin the thermostat control unit 210 to send and/or receive informationregarding activity at the property and/or the environment at theproperty. The control application server 260 also can receiveinformation regarding activity within or external to the property fromthe one or more mobile devices 240, 250. For example, the controlapplication server 260 can receive information from the one or moremobile devices 240, 250 that indicates the locations of the one or moremobile devices 240, 250.

In some implementations, the control application server 260 is acloud-based server that is accessible over the network 205. In otherimplementations, the control application server 260 can be a physicalserver, blade server, mainframe, or other component that is accessibleby the thermostat control unit 210 and/or the mobile devices 240, 250.For example, the control application server 260 can be a single serverrack that is accessible by the thermostat control unit 210 and/or themobile devices 240, 250.

In some implementations, the control application server 260 has accessto weather data and/or weather forecast data, where the weather and/orweather forecast data can be used to perform dynamic environmentalcontrol within the property. For example, the control application server260 can be connected to the Internet over the network 205 and can accessthe weather and/or weather forecast data at a website or database thatis accessible on the Internet. The weather data can include currentweather data, such as a current temperature, humidity, dew point, windchill, heat index, etc., and the weather forecast data can include shortand long term weather forecasts, for example, short and long termtemperature forecasts, precipitation forecasts, etc.

The control application server 260 can store data, e.g., activity,environmental, and/or weather data, received from the thermostat controlunit 210, the mobile devices 240, 250, and/or the Internet, and canperform analysis of the stored data. Based on the analysis, the controlapplication server 260 can communicate with and control aspects of thethermostat control unit 210.

The one or more mobile devices 240, 250 are devices that host one ormore native applications, e.g., the native control applications 242,252. The one or more mobile devices 240, 250 can be cellular phones ornon-cellular locally networked devices. The one or more mobile devices240, 250 can include a cell phone, a smart phone, a tablet PC, apersonal digital assistant (“PDA”), or any other portable deviceconfigured to communicate over a network. For example, implementationscan also include Blackberry-type devices, e.g., as provided by Researchin Motion, electronic organizers, iPhone-type devices, e.g., as providedby Apple, iPod devices, e.g., as provided by Apple, or other portablemusic players, other communication devices, and handheld or portableelectronic devices for gaming, communications, and/or data organization.The one or more mobile devices 240, 250 can be the same or can includemobile devices of different types. The one or more mobile devices 240,250 can perform functions unrelated to the control system, such asplacing personal telephone calls, playing music, playing video,displaying pictures, browsing the Internet, maintaining an electroniccalendar, etc.

In some implementations, the one or more mobile devices 240, 250communicate with and receive control system data from the thermostatcontrol unit 210 using the communication link 238. For instance, the oneor more mobile devices 240, 250 can communicate with the thermostatcontrol unit 210 using various local wireless protocols, such as Wi-Fi,Bluetooth, Z-Wave, ZigBee, HomePlug (Ethernet over powerline), or wiredprotocols such as Ethernet, USB, and other wired protocols based on theRS232, RS485, and/or RS422 standards. The one or more mobile devices240, 250 can connect locally to the control system and its sensors andother devices. The local connection can improve the speed ofcommunications because communicating through the network 205 with aremote server, e.g., the control application server 260, can be slower.

Although the one or more mobile devices 240, 250 are shown communicatingwith the thermostat control unit 210, the one or more mobile devices240, 250 can communicate directly with the sensors and other devicescontrolled by the thermostat control unit 210. In some implementations,the one or more mobile devices 240, 250 replace the thermostat controlunit 210 and perform the functions of the thermostat control unit 210for local control and long range or offsite communication.

In other implementations, the one or more mobile devices 240, 250receive control system data captured by the thermostat control unit 210through the network 205. The one or more mobile devices 240, 250 canreceive the data from the thermostat control unit 210 through thenetwork 205 or the control application server 210 and can relay datareceived from the thermostat control unit 210 to the one or more mobiledevices 240, 250 through the network 205. In this regard, the controlapplication server 260 can facilitate communications between the one ormore mobile devices 240, 250 and the thermostat control unit 210.

Although the one or more mobile devices 240, 250 are shown in FIG. 2 asbeing connected to the network 205, in some implementations, the one ormore mobile devices 240, 250 are not connected to the network 205. Inthese implementations, the one or more mobile devices 240, 250communicate directly with one or more of the control system componentsand no network connection, e.g., connection to the Internet, or relianceon remote servers is needed.

In some implementations the one or more mobile devices 240, 250 are usedin conjunction with only local sensors and/or local devices at aproperty. In these implementations, the control system 200 only includesthe one or more mobile devices 240, 250 and the modules 220, 222, and230. The one or more mobile devices 240, 250 can receive data directlyfrom the modules 220, 222, and 230 and send data directly to the modules220, 222, and 230. The one or more mobile devices 240, 250 provide theappropriate interfaces/processing to provide control information, modifysettings, control the thermostat, control HVAC system componentoperations, etc. In some implementations, the one or more mobile devices240, 250 communicate directly with only the module 220 associated withthe disaggregated thermostat and the module 230 associated with thesensors, and the module 220 communicates with the module 222 associatedwith the HVAC system components to control operation of the HVAC systemassociated with the property.

In some implementations, a mobile device 240, 250 is able to determine ageographic location associated with the mobile device 240, 250, and cancommunicate information identifying a geographic location associatedwith the mobile device 240, 250. For example, a mobile device 240, 250can determine the current geographic location of the mobile device 240,250 by using global positioning system (GPS) capabilities. In otherimplementations, a geographic location associated with a mobiles device240, 250 can be determined using other methods, for example, by usingWi-Fi access point triangulation data, cellular network triangulationdata, or IP address information, when the mobile device 240, 250 hasnetwork connectivity. The mobile device 240, 250 can transmit dataidentifying the geographic location of the mobile device 240, 250 overthe network 205 to the control application server 260, or to thethermostat control unit 210.

The one or more mobile devices 240, 250 can each include a nativecontrol application 242, 252, respectively. The native controlapplication 242, 252 refers to a software/firmware program running onthe corresponding mobile devices that enables the features below. Theone or more mobile devices 240, 250 can load or install the nativecontrol application 242, 252 based on data received over a network ordata received from local media. The native monitoring application 242,252 can run on mobile devices' platforms, such as Apple iOS, iPhone,iPod touch, Blackberry, Google Android, Windows Mobile, etc.

The native control application identifies a geographic locationassociated with the mobile device 242, 252 and communicates informationidentifying the geographic location. For example, a mobile device 240,250 having the native control application 242, 252 can determine ageographic location of the mobile device 240, 250 using GPScapabilities, and can communicate data identifying the geographiclocation to the control application server 260. In some instances, thenative control application 242, 252 can check the location of the mobiledevice 240, 250 periodically and can automatically detect when a userassociated with the mobile device 240, 250 is going toward or away froma property.

In some implementations, the control system enables dynamicenvironmental control within a property by analyzing activity data,environmental data, and/or weather data, and controlling a disaggregatedthermostat associated with a property's HVAC system based on theanalysis. For example, the control system can enable the dynamic controlof temperature and humidity within a home based on an analysis ofactivity data, environmental data, and/or weather data. In someinstances, the activity data, environmental data, and/or weather datacan be analyzed at the thermostat control unit 210 and, based on theanalysis, the thermostat control unit 210 can communicate with themodule 220 to control the thermostat and/or the HVAC system associatedwith the thermostat to dynamically control the environment within theproperty.

In some examples, activity data comprises data indicating the activityof users within a property as well as data indicating the activity ofusers external to a property. User activity within a property can bedetected by one or more sensors associated with the module 230 that areassociated with the property, such as one or more motion, contact, noiseor other sensors capable of detecting user activity in specific parts ofthe property. For example, a property can be equipped with a motionsensor in each room of the property, and the control system candetermine whether users are located in particular rooms of the propertybased on data from the motion sensors. In some instances, user activityexternal to a property is achieved by tracking the locations of mobiledevices 240, 250 associated with users of the property. For example, theGPS coordinates of a user's mobile device can be tracked over time andanalyzed to determine control of the HVAC system associated with theproperty. In some instances, tracking a user's mobile device can be usedto determine whether the user is leaving or about to arrive at theproperty, and the fact that the user is leaving or about to arrive canbe used to control the HVAC system associated with the property.

In some implementations, environmental data associated with the propertycan include both data indicating the environment within the property aswell as data indicating the environment outside of the property.Environmental data, such as temperature and humidity, can be measured ineach room of a property using sensors, e.g., a temperature and humiditysensor in each room. In some instances, sensors that are outside of theproperty can be used to obtain relevant environmental data, such as anoutdoor temperature, humidity, or other data.

In some instances, the information provided by the environmental sensorscan be used to generate a thermodynamic model of a property. Forexample, the data from the temperature and humidity sensors can be usedto determine hot or cold zones within a property, or zones of theproperty that are more or less humid. Additionally or alternatively, athermodynamic model of the property can indicate heat flows through abuilding, for example, by indicating heat flows through the rooms of ahome. The generated thermodynamic model can be used to predict, forexample, which rooms of the home will warm the fastest if a furnace isactivated, or which rooms of the home will cool the fastest if airconditioning is used.

Weather data can include both current weather data and weather forecastdata accessed at, for example, a database or website that is accessibleover the network 205. For example, weather data can include currentweather conditions, e.g., a current temperature and humidity in theregion of the property, and/or can include forecasted weatherconditions, e.g., the forecasted temperature and humidity in the regionof the property for each of the next twelve hours.

In some implementations, activity data within the property is analyzedin conjunction with environmental data within the property todynamically control the environment within the property. For example, aresident of a home can set a thermostat associated with the property to70° F. and 50% relative humidity. Based on activity sensor data fromwithin the home, the system can determine that the resident is sleepingin an upstairs bedroom of the home, and can access environmental dataassociated with the upstairs bedroom by accessing data obtained fromenvironmental sensors in the upstairs bedroom, e.g., a temperature andhumidity sensor within the bedroom. Based on the temperature sensorindicating that the temperature within the bedroom is 72° F. and thehumidity sensor indicating that the humidity within the bedroom is 55%relative humidity, the system can activate an air conditioning unit anda dehumidifier of an HVAC system associated with the home to cool thehome, including the upstairs bedroom, and to reduce the humidity of thehome, including in the upstairs bedroom, until the targets set at thethermostat, i.e., 70° F. and 50% relative humidity, are reached in theupstairs bedroom.

In some examples, cooling the upstairs bedroom to a temperature of 70°F. can result in other, unoccupied rooms of the home cooling below the70° F. target set by the resident of the home. In such instances, theHVAC system associated with the home can continue to operate to achievethe desired conditions in the occupied room of the home, and candisregard data indicating that other, unoccupied rooms within the homeare at different temperatures and/or humidity levels from the targettemperature and humidity level set by the resident.

In some instances, based on determining that a user of a property hasmoved from one location within a property to another location within theproperty, the system can determine the new location of the user and candynamically control the environment within the property based on the newlocation of the user and the environment in the new location within theproperty. For example, the resident of the home can leave the upstairsbedroom of the home and can move to the kitchen of the home. Based onactivity sensor data within the home, the system can determine that theresident is no longer present in the upstairs bedroom, and canfurthermore determine that the resident is now occupying the kitchen ofthe home. The system can access environmental data associated with thekitchen of the home, for example, by accessing data from a temperaturesensor and a humidity sensor in the kitchen of the home, and can controlthe HVAC system associated with the home based on the environmental datain the kitchen. For example, based on determining that the temperaturewithin the kitchen is 68° F. and the humidity is 45%, the system canturn off an air conditioner associated with the property, can turn off adehumidifier associated with the property, or can take another action,e.g., turning on a furnace associated with the property and/oractivating a humidifier associated with the property.

In some instances, the system can determine that users of a property areoccupying more than one location within the property. For example, thesystem can determine that there are one or more residents of a home inthe kitchen of the home, and one or more residents of the home in anupstairs bedroom of the home. Based on environmental data from themultiple locations within the home, e.g., the temperature and humidityin both the kitchen and the upstairs bedroom, the system can dynamicallycontrol the HVAC system associated with the property to achieveenvironmental conditions close to those set by the residents of thehome.

For example, if a thermostat is set to 70° F. by a resident of the home,and if the temperatures in the kitchen and the upstairs bedroom aredetected as 72° F. and 71° F., respectively, the system can activate anair conditioning unit associated with the property to cool the propertyand achieve temperatures in the occupied rooms that are closer to the70° F. target set by the resident. In some instances, the system canaverage the temperatures and/or other environmental metrics, e.g.,humidity, in the areas of the property occupied by users of theproperty, and can control an HVAC system associated with the propertybased on the average temperatures and/or other metrics. For example, ifthe thermostat is set to 70° F. and the temperatures of the occupiedkitchen and the occupied upstairs bedroom are 76° F. and 68° F.,respectively, the system can determine that the average temperature ofthe two occupied rooms is 72° F., and can control the HVAC systemassociated with the property to operate an air conditioner to adjust theenvironment within the property to achieve an average temperature thatmatches the 70° F. target.

In some implementations, the system can determine a number ofindividuals that are occupying each of the one or more locations withinthe property, and can control the HVAC system associated with theproperty based on the number of individuals occupying each location. Insome instances, the system can determine the temperatures and/or otherenvironmental metrics for each of the occupied locations and can use thenumber of individuals occupying each location to determine operation ofthe HVAC system associated with the property. For example, the number ofindividuals occupying each location can be used to determine a weightingfactor for each location, and control of the HVAC system can be based onthe determined temperatures and/or other environmental metrics and theweighting factors. For example, a thermostat of a property can be set to70° F., the temperature of a kitchen of the property occupied by threeindividuals can be 76° F., and the temperature of an upstairs bedroom ofthe property occupied by one individual can be 68° F. Based on three outof the four individuals occupying the kitchen and one out of the fourindividuals occupying the upstairs, bedroom, the system can determine aweighted average temperature of 74° F., i.e., (76° F.)(3/4 ofindividuals)+(68° F.)(1/4 of individuals)=74° F., and can control theHVAC system of the property based on the weighted average temperature.

For instances in which a property is configured to operate a single HVACsystem associated with the property, controlling the HVAC system basedon temperatures and/or other environmental conditions in one or moreoccupied locations of the property can affect temperatures and/or otherenvironmental conditions in other occupied or unoccupied locations ofthe property. For example, based on a thermostat associated with theproperty's HVAC system being set to 70° F. and the system determining anaverage temperature of occupied locations at the property being 72° F.,the system can activate an air conditioning unit to cool the occupiedlocations such that the average temperature of the occupied locationsreaches the target 70° F. temperature. In doing so, the temperatures ofoccupied and unoccupied temperatures can be permitted to deviate furtherfrom the target 70° F. temperature. For example, a cold zone of theproperty associated with the basement of the property and having atemperature before the air conditioner is activated of 64° F. can have atemperature after the air conditioner is activated that is further fromthe target 70° F. temperature, for example, a cooler temperature of 62°F. Based on the cold zone of the property associated with the basementnot being occupied, the system can allow the temperature of the basementto continue to cool below the 70° F. target temperature.

In some implementations, activity data within a property can be used todetermine activity patterns for the property that can be used to controlthe property's HVAC system. For example, the system can track activitywithin the property over a period of time, and based on the activity candetermine one or more patterns that can be used to control the HVACsystem to maintain a target temperature or other environmentalconditions at locations of the property that are or are likely to beoccupied.

For example, activity patterns can identify a time when particularlocations of the property are likely to be occupied, and the system cancontrol the HVAC system of the property based on temperature and otherenvironmental data received from the locations that are expected to beoccupied. For example, an activity pattern can indicate that a familyroom of a home is typically occupied from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM on anygiven day, and that a kitchen of the home is typically occupied from6:00 PM to 7:00 PM on any given day. Based on expectations that thefamily room is likely to be occupied beginning at 4:00 PM and that thekitchen is likely to be occupied beginning at 6:00 PM, the system cancontrol the HVAC system of the home such that a target temperatureindicated at a thermostat of the home is achieved in the family room at4:00 PM and that the target temperature is achieved in the kitchen at6:00 PM.

In some instances, controlling the HVAC system such that a targettemperature is achieved in a particular location of the property at atarget time of day can include identifying the particular location asthe occupied location prior to the time of day. For example, based on anactivity profile associated with the property indicating that the familyroom will be occupied beginning at 4:00 PM, the system can identify thefamily room as being occupied beginning at 3:45 PM. By identifying thefamily room as occupied prior to the time when the family room isactually occupied, the HVAC system can begin adjust the temperature ofthe family room to the target temperature prior to anyone occupying theroom.

In some instances, controlling the HVAC system such that a targettemperature is achieved in a particular location of the property at atarget time of day can involve including the particular location in aset of occupied locations prior to the location being occupied. Forexample, based on determining that a bedroom of a home is occupied at3:45 PM, and based on an activity profile for the home indicating thatthe family room is typically occupied beginning at 4:00 PM, the systemcan identify that both the bedroom and the family room are occupiedbeginning at 3:45 PM. The system can then control the HVAC systemassociated with the property based on both the bedroom and the familyroom being occupied, for example, by controlling the HVAC based on anaverage of the temperatures in both the bedroom and the family room.

In practice, changing the location or locations of a property identifiedas occupied based on an activity profile, and controlling the property'sHVAC system based on the changes in the identified location orlocations, can cause temperatures or other environmental conditions oflocations that are actually occupied by individuals to diverge from thetarget temperature or environmental conditions. For example, a targettemperature of 70° F. can exist in an occupied bedroom of a home priorto 3:45 PM, i.e., the bedroom's temperature can be 70° F. and match thetarget temperature of 70° F. indicated at a thermostat of the home.Based on identifying a family room of the home with a temperature of 72°F. as being likely to be occupied soon at 3:45 PM, i.e., according to anactivity profile indicating that the property is typically occupiedbeginning at 4:00 PM, the system can control the HVAC system to activatean air conditioning unit to cool the family room to the targettemperature of 70° F. In activating the air conditioning unit, thesystem can permit the temperature of the occupied bedroom to divergefrom the 70° F. target temperature in anticipation of the family room ofthe home being occupied fifteen minutes later at 4:00 PM.

In some implementations, the system can monitor activity at the variouslocations of the property to determine whether locations that aretypically occupied at certain times are actually occupied during thetimes indicated by the activity profile. Based on determining whetherthe locations that are typically occupied during certain times areactually occupied during those times, the system can control the HVACsystem of the property. For example, based on a target temperature setat a thermostat being 70° F. and based on an activity profile for a homeindicating that a kitchen of the home is typically occupied at 6:00 PM,the system can make a determination at 5:45 PM that the temperature inthe kitchen is 74° F. and can activate an air conditioning unit to coolthe kitchen prior to 6:00 PM. Based on determining at or after 6:00 PMthat the kitchen of the home is not occupied, however, the system cancontrol the property's HVAC system based on locations of the propertythat are actually occupied at that time.

In some examples, residents of a home can identify two or more settingsfor the environment of the property. For example, a resident at the homecan use the thermostat to identify a first set temperature for theproperty when one or more residents are present at the property, and asecond, different set temperature for the property when none of theresidents are present at the property. In some instances, the two ormore settings for the environment of the property can include a “home”setting, wherein the temperature and other environmental conditions setby the users is aimed at achieving comfort for the users of the propertywhile they are present in the property, and an “economy” setting,wherein the temperature and other environmental conditions set by theusers are aimed at achieving more energy efficient operation of theproperties HVAC system.

In some implementations, based on activity data obtained by the system,the system can elect one of the settings, e.g., a “home” or “economy”setting, by which to operate. For example, the system can control theHVAC system associated with a home to achieve environmental conditionsset in a “home” setting based on the system detecting the presence ofresidents in one or more locations of the property, and the system cancontrol the HVAC system to achieve environmental conditions set in an“economy” setting based on the system detecting that there are noresidents occupying the property.

In some implementations, dynamically controlling the environment withina property can include accessing environmental sensor data external tothe property and utilizing the external environmental data to determinecontrol of an HVAC system associated with the property. For example,sensors can determine environmental conditions in an occupied locationwithin the property as well as environmental conditions external to theproperty, and can use both sets of sensor data to determine operation ofthe HVAC system. For instance, based on a resident of a home setting adesired temperature to be 70° F., the system may determine that thetemperature of an upstairs bedroom that the resident is occupyingcurrently has a temperature of 72° F. and can furthermore determine thatan outdoor temperature at the property is 68° F. Based on determiningthat the temperature outside of the home is cooler than the temperatureinside of the upstairs bedroom, the system may forgo activating an airconditioning unit of the home, in order to save energy used by the airconditioner, and can instead wait until the bedroom naturally cools tothe desired temperature. Additionally or alternatively, the system mayforgo activating the air conditioning unit of the home, and instead mayactivate an internal circulation fan and/or activate external airventilation using a fan to cool the bedroom more quickly than lettingthe bedroom naturally cool, while using less energy than if the airconditioning unit were activated.

Additionally or alternatively, in some instances, the system can trackoutdoor environmental conditions to determine operation of an HVACsystem associated with a property. For example, based on a resident of ahome using a thermostat to set a desired temperature to 70° F. withinthe home, and based on determining that the temperature of an upstairsbedroom that the resident is occupying has a temperature of 72° F., thesystem can access external temperature data to determine the temperatureoutside of the property. The system might determine that the outsidetemperature is 74° F., but that the outside temperature has beendecreasing over the past 3 hours. Based on determining that thetemperature outside is decreasing at a rate such that the outsidetemperature will reach the desired temperature within a threshold periodof time, etc., the system can determine whether to activate an airconditioning unit associated with the home.

In some implementations, a profile for a property can be generated thatincludes information identifying the extent to which outdoorenvironmental conditions affect temperature and/or other environmentalconditions at various locations of the property. The system can controlthe HVAC system associated with the property based on the generatedprofile and other information relating to the property, e.g.,environmental conditions within the property, activity within theproperty, an activity profile for the property, etc. For example, aprofile associated with the property can indicate that the environmentsof various locations of the property are more or less affected byoutdoor conditions at the property, and the system can control the HVACsystem based on the profile indicating that particular locations withinthe property are more or less affected by the outdoor conditions.

For example, a profile can indicate that a basement of a home is lessaffected by outdoor environmental conditions than an upstairs bedroom ofthe home. Using the profile, the system can control the HVAC systemdifferently depending on whether the basement or the upstairs bedroom ofthe home is occupied, and based further on the environmental conditionsin the occupied location and the environmental conditions outside of thehome. For example, if the occupied basement has a temperature of 68° F.,and if the target temperature is 70° F. with an outdoor temperature of80° F., the system may control the HVAC to turn off all heating and airconditions units, with an expectation that the temperature in thebasement will slowly warm to a temperature near the target 70° F. Inanother example, if the upstairs bedroom is occupied at a temperature of68° F., and if the target temperature is 70° F. with an outdoortemperature of 80° F., the system may control the HVAC system toactivate an air conditioning unit to ensure that the temperature in thebedroom does not rise well above the 70° F. target, since the profileindicates that the upstairs bedroom is easily affected by outdoorenvironmental conditions.

In some instances, the locations of users external to the property canbe used to dynamically control the environment within the property. Asdiscussed, the locations of users external to the property can beidentified based on the geographic locations of mobile devices 240, 250associated with the users of the property. For example, the system candynamically control the environment of a home based on the locations ofmobile devices 240, 250 associated with residents of the home.

In some instances, the locations of mobile devices 240, 250 associatedwith users of the property can be used to determine an operating mode,or setting, of an HVAC system associated with a property. For example,the system can determine that a resident of a home is travelling awayfrom the home based on tracking the geographic location of a mobiledevice associated with the resident, and based on determining that theresident is leaving the home, can elect an “economy” setting by which tooperate the HVAC system associated with the home. By determining tooperate using an “economy” setting, the system can reduce the energyconsumption of an HVAC system in comparison to operating in a “home”mode. For example, during a hot summer, a resident of a home can set a“home” temperature at a thermostat of the home to 70° F. and an“economy” temperature to 75° F. Based on determining that the residentof the home is travelling away from the home, e.g., going to work in themorning, the system can elect to change operation from the “home”setting to the “economy” setting. In another example, based ondetermining that the resident of the home is travelling towards thehome, e.g., returning home from work, the system can elect to switchoperation from the “economy” setting to the “home” setting, for example,to cool the home from 75° F. to 70° F. before the resident returns. Indoing so, the comfort of the resident can be maintained while they areat the home, while reducing the total daily energy consumption of theHVAC system associated with the home.

In some instances, the locations of mobile devices 240, 250 associatedwith users of a property can be used to determine particular locationswithin the property that are likely to be occupied by users of theproperty within a foreseeable period of time. For example, the systemcan determine that mobile devices 240, 250 being in a particularlocation and travelling towards a home will likely result in the usersof the mobile devices 240, 250 occupying a particular room or rooms ofthe home once they arrive. In some instances, the system can identifydifferent locations that are likely to be occupied based on thelocations of the mobile devices 240, 250. In some examples, the systemcan also associate an anticipated number of occupants and/or multiplerooms that are likely to be occupied based on the detected locations ofthe mobile devices 240, 250.

For example, the system can determine that when a particular userreturns home from their office, they typically will occupy the kitchenof the home. Based on determining that a mobile device 240, 250associated with a user is at a location corresponding to the user'soffice and moving towards the user's home, the system can control theHVAC system associated with the home to achieve a target temperature inthe kitchen of the home, for example, a target temperature that has beenset at a thermostat of the home. In another example, the system candetermine that when a particular user returns home from a school, thatthe user will typically return with multiple individuals, e.g., the userand one or more children that attend the school, and will typicallyoccupy the family room and the upstairs bedroom of the home. Based ondetermining that a mobile device 240, 250 associated with the user is ata location corresponding to the school and moving towards the user'shome, the system can control the HVAC system associated with the home toachieve a target temperature in the family room and/or upstairs bedroomof the home, the target temperature being set at a thermostat of thehome.

In some implementations, weather data can be obtained and used incontrolling the operation of an HVAC system associated with a property.For example, a control system associated with an HVAC system for a homecan determine its operation based on current weather data and/or weatherforecast data for the region of the home. In some instances, the weatherdata can be weather data accessed at a database or on a website accessedon the Internet, for example, using one or more networks 205.

In some examples, the weather data is used to determine an operatingschedule for an HVAC system associated with the property. For example, aresident of a home can set a desired temperature for their home using athermostat associated with the home, and the system can determine anoperating schedule for the HVAC system associated with the home based onweather data that indicates current or future weather conditions in theregion of the home. For example, if the resident sets a desiredtemperature to 70° F., the system may access weather data for theupcoming week and can determine that, while the weather will be in therange of 80-85° F. during the early part of the week, the temperaturewill be at or slightly below 70° F. during the latter part of the week.Based on the weather data, the system can establish an operatingschedule for the HVAC system, for example, in which an air conditioningcomponent of the HVAC system will operate during the early part of theweek to keep the temperature of the home at the user-desiredtemperature, and in which the air conditioning component of the HVACsystem will not operate during the latter part of the week to increasethe energy efficiency of the overall HVAC system operation. Whilediscussed herein in terms of a schedule for operation of the HVAC systemover the course of a week, similar techniques can be adapted to shorteroperating schedules of the HVAC system, for example, operating schedulesfor the HVAC system that span only several hours after receiving weatherdata.

In some examples, a profile for a property can be generated thatincludes information identifying an extent to which outdoorenvironmental conditions affect environmental conditions at variouslocations of the property, and weather forecast data may be used inconjunction with the profile to control the HVAC system associated withthe property. The system can control the HVAC system associated with theproperty based on the generated profile, the weather forecast data, andother information relating to the property, e.g., environmentalconditions within the property, activity within the property, anactivity profile for the property, etc. For example, a profileassociated with the property can indicate that the environments ofvarious locations of the property are more or less affected by outdoorconditions at the property, and the system can control the HVAC systembased on the profile indicating that particular locations within theproperty are more or less affected by the outdoor conditions and theforecasted weather conditions. In some examples, controlling the HVACsystem based on the profile and the weather forecast data can reduceenergy usage by the property's HVAC system by limiting energy usage whenweather forecasts indicate that likely future outdoor environmentalconditions will be conducive to achieving target environmentalconditions within the property.

For example, a profile can indicate that an upstairs bedroom of a homeis easily affected by outdoor environmental conditions. At a particulartime when the bedroom is occupied, the temperature in the bedroom may beseveral degrees above a target temperature. For example, the temperaturein the upstairs bedroom may be 74° F., with a target temperatureindicated at a thermostat being 70° F. Based on accessing weatherforecast data indicating that temperatures in the region of the propertyare likely to decrease to 65° F. within a short period of time, andbased on the profile indicating that the upstairs bedroom is easilyaffected by outdoor environmental conditions, the system may forgoactivating an air conditioning unit of the property's HVAC system andinstead may allow the upstairs bedroom to cool naturally due to changesin outdoor temperature. By forgoing the use of the air conditioningunit, the energy usage of the property's HVAC system can be reduced. Inanother example, a basement of the home can be occupied and a profilecan indicate that the basement is not considerably affected by outdoorenvironmental conditions. Based on the temperature in the basement being74° F. and the target temperature indicated at a thermostat being 70°F., the system may activate an air conditioning unit associated with thehome's HVAC system despite weather forecasts indicating that the outdoortemperature will decrease to 65° F. within a short period of time, basedon the basement of the home not being easily affected by changes inoutdoor weather conditions.

In some implementations, a single property can be equipped with multipleindependently operating HVAC systems or subsystems, and the analyzing ofthe activity data, environmental data, and/or weather data can enablethe system to independently operate the multiple HVAC systems orsubsystems. For example, a particular property can have two airconditioning units that cool different areas of a particular property.Based on determining that users of the property are occupying only aparticular location within the property, and based on determining thatthe temperature within the particular location within the propertyexceeds a preferred temperature selected by the users, the system cancontrol the air conditioning units such that only the air conditioningunit responsible for cooling the occupied location within the propertyis active to cool the particular location within the property. Whileexplained herein in reference to the operation of a multiple airconditioning unit HVAC system, similar techniques can be applied to HVACsystems featuring one or more furnaces, multiple or programmableventilation systems, systems featuring one or more humidifiers ordehumidifiers, etc.

In some instances, the control of an HVAC system associated with aproperty can be achieved externally by individuals other than users ofthe property, for example, by a professional HVAC system monitoringservice. In some implementations, control of the HVAC system can beachieved by users that are able to control the HVAC system externallyover one or more networks 205 associated with the control system. Forexample, a professional HVAC system monitoring service can accessinformation and/or control the operation of an HVAC system through aweb-based interface or other interface that connects to the controlsystem associated with the property. In some instances, enablingexternal control or accessing of data related to the control system byindividuals other than the users of the property can enable performancemonitoring or maintenance monitoring of the control system and itsassociated HVAC system. In practice, accessing the control system overone or more networks 205 can be used to achieve other control functionsof the HVAC system associated with the property.

In some implementations, the control system can use information such asHVAC system performance, energy efficiency, maintenance, or otherinformation to detect errors or faults in the HVAC system. Based ondetecting an error, the control system can report the error, forexample, to an HVAC system monitoring service, or other user associatedwith the property. In some instances, the error can be reported at adisplay of an HVAC system component, e.g., a thermostat, or can bereported at a web or mobile-based application, for example, based on thedata identifying the error being accessible over one or more networks205.

For example, an air compressor of an HVAC system might report that ithas a below average output air flow corresponding to a potential clog inthe compressor and, in response, the air compressor may be turned off.In this case, the control system may additionally broadcast an errormessage to users indicating that the air compressor was turned off dueto the potential clog. In another example, a fault relating to an airconditioner may cause the air conditioner to run continuously withoutachieving a target temperature in a room of a home. A first error may bereported by the thermostat control unit 210 indicating that the targettemperature in the room has not been achieved despite the airconditioner being active. A second error may be reported based ontemperature sensors within the room of the home indicating that thetemperature within the room has not reached the target temperaturewithin a sixty minute period, when a typical time to reach the targettemperature is forty minutes. Still a third error may be reported basedon determining that the HVAC system is consuming 4.0 kWh of energy perhour when typical energy consumption levels are 2.5 kWh of energy perhour. Thus, error and fault detection can utilize robust and redundantmethods to accurately report errors, and can monitor the entire home andHVAC system as opposed to only individual HVAC system components.

In some implementations, error messages and other information can beprovided at a display of a component of an HVAC system, such as at aninterface of a control or alarm panel of the HVAC system, a thermostatof the HVAC system, or another component. In some implementations, thedisplay can be an electrophoretic ink (E Ink) display, such as thoseprovided by E Ink Corporation, or any other bi-stable, high contrast,low power display. In some implementations, the display can be a lightemitting diode (LED) display, for example, an LED matrix display, can bea liquid crystal display (LCD), can be a plasma display, or can be adisplay that uses other technologies. The display can output informationrelating to the configuration or control of the HVAC system, whereintegration of the electrophoretic ink display can enable the display tooutput detailed information while maintaining readability.

In some implementations, such a display can be dynamic in that itenables users to determine information that is and is not presented atthe display. For example, a user can interact with a display to specifyinformation that can be provided for output at the display. Informationnot output at the display can be viewable at another interface, such asby accessing a web or mobile-based application at the mobile devices240, 250. By enabling the end user to customize the display, the displayis not burdened with displaying complex graphics or information, sincesuch information would be accessible elsewhere. For example, anexhaustive operating schedule associated with an HVAC system may not beoutput at a display if such information is accessible and more easilyviewed using an application on a mobile device 240, 250.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example process 300 for controlling one or morecomponents of an HVAC system associated with a property, based oninformation accessible to a disaggregated thermostat. In some examples,the process 300 of FIG. 3 is performed by the system 200 of FIG. 2.While described hereafter in a specific order, the operations of theprocess 300 may be completed in any order that enables the disaggregatedthermostat to control the one or more components of the HVAC systembased on the accessed data, including the accessed environmental datafor the property, activity data for the property, user preferencesrelating to environmental parameters for the property, and other data.

Data is received that specifies a preference relating to anenvironmental parameter for a property (302). For example, a user of aproperty may provide input at an interface of the disaggregatedthermostat or at an application associated with the disaggregatedthermostat that sets a preference for an environmental parameter, suchas a target temperature or humidity within the property. Thedisaggregated thermostat may receive the data specifying the preference.In some implementations, the disaggregated thermostat may determine thepreference for the environmental condition based on other factors. Forexample, a user may set a “comfort” setting for the property thatindicates a target temperature of 70° F. when the user is at theproperty, and an “economy” setting for the property that indicates atarget temperature of 75° F. when the user is not at the property.

The disaggregated thermostat can identify the locations of one or moreusers within the property (304). For example, the disaggregatedthermostat may be associated with, or be in communication with, one ormore sensors that are capable of detecting conditions indicative of userpresence. As an example, each room of a property may have a sensor thatis capable of determining whether a user is present, such as a motionsensor, knock sensor, noise sensor, or other sensor that can determinewhether a user is likely present in that room. The disaggregatedthermostat can receive information from the sensors and can identify thelocations of users within the property based on the receivedinformation, for example, by identifying rooms of the property whereusers are likely located. In some instances, the sensors used to detectthe presence of users at various locations in the property areassociated with a monitoring system that is in communication with thedisaggregated thermostat, where the monitoring system is capable ofdetermining the locations of users at the property and performing otheroperations related to monitoring the property. In these implementations,the disaggregated thermostat can receive the information indicating thedetermined locations of users within the property from the monitoringsystem.

Data indicating the condition of one or more environmental parameters isaccessed (306). For example, the disaggregated thermostat can receiveenvironmental condition data from one or more sensors that are capableof detecting the condition of one or more environmental parameters atvarious locations throughout the property. Each sensor may be capable ofdetecting the condition of one or more environmental parameters, such asa temperature, humidity, wind speed, etc., at the location of thesensor. The property may have one or more such sensors, for example, ineach room or zone of a property, and the disaggregated thermostat canaccess the environmental data obtained by the sensors. In someimplementations, the disaggregated thermostat only accesses theenvironmental data (e.g., the data that indicates the condition of theone or more environmental parameters) for those rooms or zones of theproperty that are determined to be occupied by users. In otherimplementations, the disaggregated thermostat accesses the environmentalcondition data for all or a subset of the rooms or zones of theproperty, regardless of whether those rooms or zones are identified asbeing occupied.

Based on receiving the preferences for the one or more environmentalparameters, identifying the locations of users within the property, andaccessing the environmental condition data for the property, an analysisof the environmental condition data with respect to the preferences forthe environmental parameters is performed (308). Specifically, thedisaggregated thermostat may compare the condition of the environmentalparameter at one or more occupied locations of the property to thepreference for the environmental parameter. As an example, thedisaggregated thermostat may receive data indicating a preferredtemperature for a property, such as 70° F., and may determine that atemperature in an occupied room of the property is above the preferredtemperature, for example, that temperature in the occupied room of theproperty is 72° F.

In some instances, more than one room or zone of a property may beoccupied by users, and the disaggregated thermostat may analyze theenvironmental condition data with respect to the preference relating tothe environmental parameter. For instance, the disaggregated thermostatmay compare the preference for the environmental parameter to thecondition of the environmental parameter in each of the occupied roomsor zones of the property, compare the preference for the environmentalparameter to an average of the condition of the environmental parameterin each of the occupied rooms or zones, or otherwise analyze thecondition of the environmental parameter in the one or more occupiedrooms or zones with respect to the preference relating to theenvironmental condition. For example, based on determining that a firstroom of a property is occupied by one or more users and has atemperature of 70° F. and a second room of the property is occupied byone or more users and has a temperature of 72° F., an averagetemperature of 71° F. for the two rooms may be compared to a 70° F.preferred temperature for the property.

In some instances, analysis of the environmental condition data for theone or more occupied rooms with respect to the preference relating tothe environmental parameter may be dependent on the number of usersoccupying each of the occupied rooms. For example, the sensors of amonitoring system in communication with the disaggregated thermostat maybe capable of determining the number of users in each of the occupiedrooms of a property, and analysis of the environmental condition datawith respect to the preference relating to the environmental parametermay involve comparing the preference for the environmental condition toa weighted average condition for the environmental parameter. In such animplementation, the weighted average may be weighted based on the numberof occupants in each room (e.g., such that rooms with more occupants aregiven a stronger weight).

Based on analyzing the environmental condition data with respect to thepreference relating to the environmental parameter, a setting for anHVAC system component can be determined (310). Generally, thedisaggregated thermostat can determine a setting for one or morecomponents of an HVAC system associated with a property that will causethe one or more HVAC system components to adjust the condition of theenvironmental parameter at the occupied locations of the propertytowards a preference for the environmental parameter. For example, basedon comparing the temperature of an occupied room of a property to apreferred temperature for the property, the disaggregated thermostat candetermine how to control an air conditioner that is included in the HVACsystem associated with the property. For instance, based on determiningthat the temperature in an occupied room of a property is 72° F. and isabove a preferred temperature of 70° F., the HVAC system can determinethat an air conditioner should be turned on to cool the occupied room ofthe property toward the 70° F. target. In some implementations,determining a setting for an HVAC system component can involvedetermining whether the component should be turned on or off,determining a fan speed or other power setting for the component (e.g.,whether an air conditioner or fan should be set to a low or highsetting), etc.

In some implementations, the disaggregated thermostat can determine tocontrol the HVAC system component to adjust the condition of theenvironmental parameter towards the preferred condition for theenvironmental parameter at the occupied locations of the property,despite such control causing the condition of the environmentalparameter at other locations to diverge further from the preferredcondition. For example, if an occupied room of a property has atemperature of 72° F. that is above a preferred temperature of 70° F.,the disaggregated thermostat may turn on an air conditioner associatedwith the property, despite the fact that turning on the air conditionerwill cause the temperature in another room of the property (e.g., anunoccupied room) that has a temperature of 68° F. to cool further, thuscausing the other room to have a temperature that is further from thepreferred temperature.

Based on determining a setting for one or more HVAC system components,the one or more HVAC system components can be controlled according tothe determined setting. For example, based on comparing the temperaturein an occupied room of a property to a preferred temperature for theproperty and subsequently determining that an air conditioner associatedwith the property should be turned on, the disaggregated thermostat cancontrol the air conditioner by turning on the air conditioner.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate examples in which the control of an HVACsystem associated with a property may be influenced by the presence ofusers at or near the property. In some implementations, the exampleillustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B is performed by the system 200 of FIG. 2.For example, the system of FIG. 4A can include a disaggregatedthermostat 410 that is associated with a property 400. The disaggregatedthermostat 410 can be associated with one or more sensors that arecapable of determining the condition of one or more environmentalparameters at the property 400, and can also be associated with one ormore sensors that are capable of detecting the presence of one or moreusers at the property 400. A user associated with the property 400 canbe equipped with a client device 440 that is capable of determining ageographical location of the client device 440, for example, by usingGPS, by determining a location associated with a WiFi, cellular, orother network to which the client device 440 is connected, or by usingother methods. The client device 440 may be in communication with thedisaggregated thermostat 410 such that the disaggregated thermostat 410can receive data indicating the geographic location of the client device440 or the proximity of the client device 440 to the property 400. Insome implementations, the client device 440 is associated with a nativeapplication that can enable communication between the client device 440and the disaggregated thermostat 410, for example, by enabling theclient device 440 to transmit information that identifies the locationof the client device 440 to the disaggregated thermostat 410.

The disaggregated thermostat 410 can recognize two or more differentsets of preferences relating to environmental parameters at theproperty. For example, the disaggregated thermostat 410 may receive datathat identifies a “comfort” setting that specifies preferences relatingto one or more environmental parameters for times when users of theproperty 400 are located at or near the property. As an example, the“comfort” setting may specify that, when users of the property 400 aredetermined to be located at the property 400, or within a thresholddistance of the property 400, an HVAC system associated with theproperty 400 should be controlled to achieve the environmentalconditions specified by the “comfort” setting, e.g., a temperature of70° F. and a relative humidity of 50%. Additionally, the disaggregatedthermostat 410 may be able to access data that identifies an “economy”setting that specifies preferences relating to the one or moreenvironmental parameters at times when users of the property 400 are notlocated at the property, or are not within a threshold distance of theproperty. As an example, the “economy” setting may specify that, whenusers of the property 400 are determined to be located away from theproperty 400, or outside of a threshold distance from the property 400,the HVAC system associated with the property 400 should be controlled toachieve the environmental conditions specified by the “economy” setting,e.g., a temperature of 75° F. and a relative humidity of 30%. In someinstances, the “comfort” and “economy” settings may be set by a userassociated with the property 400 such that the “comfort” settingspecifies the user's preferred environment within the property 400 whilethe user is located at the property 400, and the “economy” settingspecifies preferences for the environment within the property 400 whilethe user is away from the property 400, for example, such that the“economy” settings are settings that cause the HVAC system to use lessenergy.

In the example shown in FIG. 4A, a user of the property 400 has defineda “comfort” setting in which the preferred temperature within theproperty 400 is set to 70° F. The disaggregated thermostat 410 mayutilize the “comfort” setting when one or more users are determined tobe inside of the property 400, for example, based on one or more motionsensors associated with the disaggregated thermostat 410 detecting thepresence of the user within the property 400, or based on thedisaggregated thermostat 410 receiving information that indicates that aclient device 440 associated with the user is within a thresholddistance 490 of the property 400. For example, the disaggregatedthermostat can receive GPS data from the client device 440 thatindicates a location of the client device 440, and based on the GPS datathe disaggregated thermostat can determine that the client device 440 iswithin a threshold distance 490 (e.g., a one mile radius) from theproperty 400. Based on determining that one or more users are locatedwithin the property 400 or that the client device 440 associated withthe user is within the threshold distance 490 from the property 400, thedisaggregated thermostat 410 can control the HVAC system associated withthe property 400 according to the “comfort” setting. For example, thedisaggregated thermostat 410 can determine the temperature and relativehumidity in rooms of the property 400 that are identified as beingoccupied, or can determine an average temperature in the different roomsof the property 400. The disaggregated thermostat 410 can determine howto control the HVAC system associated with the property 400 based on acomparison of the temperature and relative humidity in the property 400(e.g., the temperature and relative humidity in the occupied rooms ofthe property 400 or the average temperature and relative humidity in allof the rooms of the property 400) to the temperature and relativehumidity settings specified by the “comfort” setting.

Additionally, in some implementations, based on the disaggregatedthermostat 410 determining that one or more users have entered theproperty 400 and/or are within the threshold distance 490 of theproperty 400, the disaggregated thermostat 410 can identify one or morerooms or zones of the property 400 that are likely to be occupied by theone or more users. For example, as described, the disaggregatedthermostat 410 may be able to access an activity pattern associated withthe property 400 or one or more users of the property 400 that indicatesrooms or zones of the property 400 that are frequently occupied by usersof the property 400 at particular times of day. Based on determiningthat one or more users are within, near, or are approaching the property400 at a particular time of day, the disaggregated thermostat 410 canidentify one or more rooms or zones of the property 400 that arefrequently occupied at that time. The disaggregated thermostat 410 candetermine the condition of one or more environmental parameters withinthe identified rooms or zones, and can control one or more HVAC systemcomponents to adjust the condition of the one or more environmentalparameters towards the preferences indicated by the “comfort” setting.

In some implementations, the disaggregated thermostat 410 may be able toidentify one or more particular users that are located within, near, orthat are approaching the property 400. For example, the disaggregatedthermostat 410 may receive information identifying a particular userthat is located within or near the property 400 that has been identifiedbased on image (e.g., facial) recognition performed by one or moresensors of a monitoring system associated with the disaggregatedthermostat 410. In other examples, a particular user may be identifiedbased on a credential that the user has submitted at the property 400,for example, based on determining that user has entered the property byunlocking a door using a particular key, fob, access card, etc. In otherexamples, a particular user may be identified based on determining thata particular client device 440 belonging to the particular user islocated within, near, or is approaching the property 400. Based onidentifying one or more of the users within or near the property 400,the disaggregated thermostat 410 can access an activity profile for theparticular user or for the property to determine one or more locationswithin the property 400 where the particular user is likely to belocated. For example, the disaggregated thermostat 410 can determinethat a first user who is approaching the property 400 typically goes tothe kitchen of the property 400 when they arrive. Based on determiningthat the first user is approaching, the disaggregated thermostat 410 candetermine the condition of one or more environmental parameters in thekitchen of the property 400, and can control one or more HVAC systemcomponents to adjust the condition of the environmental parameterstowards the preferences identified by the “comfort” setting. Based ondetermining that a second, different user is approaching the property400 who typically goes to a basement of the property 400 when theyarrive, the disaggregated thermostat 410 can control one or more HVACsystem components to adjust the condition of the environmentalparameters in the basement of the property 400 towards the preferencesidentified by the “comfort” setting.

Additionally, in some implementations, the disaggregated thermostat 410may determine that one or more users are present at the property 400,and that one or more other users are approaching the property 400 (e.g.,are within the threshold distance 490 of the property). Based on the oneor more users being located within the property, the disaggregatedthermostat 410 may control an HVAC system associated with the propertyto achieve a condition of one or more environmental parameters thatmatch the preferences identified by the “comfort” setting in the roomsor zones of the property 400 where the users are located. Based ondetermining that the one or more other users are approaching theproperty 400, the disaggregated thermostat 410 may access activityprofiles for the property 400 and/or the one or more users to determinerooms or zones of the property where the one or more users are likely togo to when they arrive. The disaggregated thermostat can then begin tocontrol the HVAC system to achieve environmental conditions within therooms or zones of the property 400 where the one or more arriving usersare likely to go when they arrive. In some implementations, since thereare already one or more other users in other rooms or zones of theproperty 400, the disaggregated thermostat 410 may determine to controlthe HVAC system to adjust the condition of one or more environmentalparameters in both the occupied rooms or zones of the property and therooms or zones of the property that are likely to be occupied by thearriving users, in order to adjust the environmental parameters towardsthe preferences identified by the “comfort” setting. For example, if the“comfort” setting defines a target temperature of 70° F., and if thetemperature in an occupied bedroom is 68° F. and the temperature in akitchen that is likely to be occupied is 74° F., the disaggregatedthermostat 410 can control the HVAC system associated with the property400 to strike a balance in the temperatures of the bedroom and thekitchen that is near the temperature specified by the “comfort” setting.

In some implementations, the various rooms or zones within the property400 may be given preference depending upon whether a user is physicallylocated there. In the example above, for instance, since the bedroomhaving a temperature of 68° F. is already occupied, and the kitchenhaving a temperature of 74° F. is not occupied, the disaggregatedthermostat 410 may determine to control the HVAC system such that thetemperature in the bedroom is adjusted closer to the preferredtemperature of 70° F. than the temperature in the kitchen is (e.g., bygiving greater weight to the bedroom). Subsequently, based ondetermining that the arriving users are within the property 400, or havegone to the kitchen of the property 400, the disaggregated thermostat410 may give equal preference to both the bedroom and the kitchen, suchthat the disaggregated thermostat 410 can control the HVAC system toachieve temperatures in both the bedroom and the kitchen that areequally far from the preferred temperature specified by the “comfort”setting. In other examples, based on determining that the arriving usershave arrived but have not gone to the kitchen of the property 400 asanticipated, the disaggregated thermostat 410 can remove theenvironmental conditions of the kitchen from consideration, and candetermine control of the HVAC system based solely on the determinedlocations of the users within the property 400.

FIG. 4B illustrates an example in which a user associated with a clientdevice 440 has moved outside of the threshold distance 490 from theproperty 400. Based on the disaggregated thermostat 410 determining thatthere are no users located within the property 400 and that the userassociated with the client device 440 has moved beyond the thresholddistance 490 from the property 400, the disaggregated thermostat 410 maycontrol the HVAC system associated with the property according to the“economy” setting. As described, the “economy” setting may be a settingthat enables the HVAC system associated with the property to use lessenergy, for example, by running components of the HVAC system lessfrequently. As described previously, the “economy” setting recognized bythe disaggregated thermostat 410 may control the HVAC system associatedwith the property to achieve a temperature of 75° F. at the property anda relative humidity of 30% at the property. The disaggregated thermostat410 may access or receive information that indicates the temperature andrelative humidity in one or more rooms or zones of the property 400, andmay control the components of the HVAC system based on a comparison ofthe temperature and relative humidity in one or more rooms or zones ofthe property 400 to the temperature and relative humidity settingsspecified by the “economy” setting. By using the “economy” setting, theenergy usage of the HVAC system may be reduced while the users are awayfrom the property. Subsequently, the system may determine that one ormore users have returned to within a threshold distance 490 of theproperty 400, and may begin to operate the disaggregated thermostat 410according to the “comfort” setting to adjust the condition of theenvironmental parameters at the property to the preferred conditions(e.g., the preferred temperature and humidity) specified by the users.

In some implementations, determining to operate an HVAC system accordingto an “economy” setting or “comfort” setting may involve determining adistance of one or more users from the property 400. For example, basedon determining that a user has moved outside of the property 400, but isstill within the threshold distance 490 of the property 400, thedisaggregated thermostat may determine to control the HVAC system toreach a balance between the two settings. For example, if a “comfort”setting specifies a temperature preference of 70° F. and an “economy”setting specifies a temperature preference of 75° F., the disaggregatedthermostat 410 may control the HVAC system to achieve a temperature of73° F. within the property 400 when the user is located outside of theproperty 400 but within the threshold distance 490.

In some implementations, determining to transition a setting from a“comfort” setting to an “economy” setting can involve determining thelocations of one or more users within the property 400 and identifyingor determining the locations of one or more users that have left theproperty 400. For example, based on determining that a user in a kitchenof the property 400 has left the property 400 but that another user in abedroom of the property 400 is still located in the bedroom, thedisaggregated thermostat 410 can identify an “economy” setting for thekitchen (and/or other parts of the property 400) and a “comfort” settingfor the bedroom. The disaggregated thermostat may then control the HVACsystem based on the preferences identified by each of the settings. Forexample, if a “comfort” setting specifies a temperature preference of70° F. and an “economy” setting specifies a temperature preference of75° F., the disaggregated thermostat 410 may control the HVAC system toadjust the temperature in the kitchen towards the 75° F. temperaturespecified by the “economy” setting and to adjust the temperature in thebedroom towards the 70° F. specified by the “comfort” setting.

Additionally, in some implementations, the disaggregated thermostat 410may consider activity profiles when determining to use a “comfort” or“economy” setting. For example, user activity data may indicate that oneor more users typically leave the property 400 around 8:00 AM. Based onthe activity profile, the disaggregated thermostat 410 may transitioncontrol of the HVAC system from the “comfort” setting to the “economy”setting shortly before the one or more users typically leave theproperty, for example, at 7:45 AM. In other examples, the activityprofile may indicate that a user typically leaves the property 400between the hours of 8:00 AM and 11:00 AM each day, and that the useralways is located in the kitchen before they leave the property 400.Based on determining, for example, that a current time is 9:00 AM andthat the user is located in the kitchen of the property 400, thedisaggregated thermostat 410 may transition control of the HVAC systemfrom the “comfort” setting to the “economy” setting.

In some implementations, determining the setting used by thedisaggregated thermostat to determine control of the one or more HVACsystem components is based on determining that a user has left or isapproaching the property 400. For example, based on determining that auser has left the property (e.g., that users were previously located atthe property 400 and are no longer located at the property 400) or basedon determining that a user is moving further away from the property(e.g., based on GPS data that indicates that the user is moving awayfrom the property 400), the disaggregated thermostat 410 may transitionthe settings used in determining control of the HVAC system componentsfrom a “comfort” setting to an “economy” setting. Similarly, in anotherexample, based on determining that a user has entered the property 400(e.g., that users were not previously located at the property 400 andare now located at the property 400) or is approaching the property(e.g., based on GPS data that indicates that the user is moving towardsthe property 400), the disaggregated thermostat 410 may transition thesettings used in determining control of the HVAC system components froman “economy” setting to a “comfort” setting.

FIGS. 5A-5C illustrate an example in which the control of an HVAC systemis determined based at least in part on weather information. Forexample, a property 500 may be associated with a disaggregatedthermostat 510 that is capable of receiving information relating to thecondition of environmental parameters outside of the property 500 and/orof receiving information relating to weather forecasts for a geographicregion that corresponds to the location of the property 500. Thedisaggregated thermostat 510 may be able to access such information inaddition to the information indicating the presence of users withinvarious rooms or zones of the property 500 and the informationindicating the condition of one or more environmental parameters withinthe various rooms or zones of the property 500. The disaggregatedthermostat 510 may control a HVAC system associated with the property500 based performing an analysis of the weather information, based ondetermining rooms or zones of the property 500 that are occupied, basedon the environmental conditions at the occupied rooms or zones of theproperty 500, and based on the preferences relating to the environmentalparameters for the property 500.

As shown in FIG. 5A, for example, the disaggregated thermostat 510 canreceive information indicating a preferred temperature for the property500 of 70° F. The disaggregated thermostat 510 can receive informationindicating that a user 550 is located in a particular room of theproperty 500 and can receive information from a sensor 530 a indicatingthat the temperature in the occupied room of the property is 72° F. Thedisaggregated thermostat 510 can further receive information from asensor 530 b located outside of the property 500 that indicates that thetemperature outside of the property is 68° F. The disaggregatedthermostat 510 may also access or receive weather forecast dataaccessible at a thermostat application server 560 that includes aweather forecast for a geographical region that corresponds to theproperty 500. As shown in FIG. 5A, the weather forecast may indicate acurrent temperature of 68° F. for the region of the property 500 and mayfurther indicate a temperature prediction for the region of the property500 that indicates that in three hours the temperature will likely be67° F. The weather forecast data may further indicate a weather forecastfor the day, for example a weather forecast indicating that the hightemperature for the day will likely be 80° F. and that the lowtemperature for the day will likely be 65° F.

The disaggregated thermostat 510 may analyze the received information todetermine control of an air conditioner associated with the property500. For example, the disaggregated thermostat 510 may determine thatthe temperature in the occupied room of the property 500 is 72° F. andis therefore above the preferred temperature for the property 500 of 70°F. The disaggregated thermostat 510 may also determine, however, thatthe outside temperature of 68° F. is below the preferred temperature forthe property 500, and may determine based on the weather forecast datathat the outside temperature is likely to continue to decrease (e.g.,that the temperature is likely to be 67° F. in 3 hours and to eventuallyreach 65° F.). A decision process performed by the disaggregatedthermostat 510 may consider these various factors and may determine thatthe temperature in the property 500 is likely to decrease without theuse of the air conditioner, since the temperature outside of theproperty 500 is currently below the temperature inside of the property500 and since the outside temperature is expected to continue todecrease. As a result, the disaggregated thermostat 510 may determine toturn off, or not to turn on, the air conditioner associated with theproperty 500, and may control the air conditioner accordingly.Additionally, in some implementations, the disaggregated thermostat 510may determine that the occupied room of the property 500 is likely tocool more quickly if an internal circulation fan or external ventilationaided by a circulation fan is activated. Based on this determination,the disaggregated thermostat 510 may control one or more fans associatedwith the property 500 by turning on the one or more fans. In someimplementations, the disaggregated thermostat 510 may turn on the one ormore fans based on determining that running the one or more fans is amore economical option than turning on the air conditioner, and based ondetermining that turning on the one or more fans will allow thetemperature in the occupied room to quickly reach the preferredtemperature.

FIG. 5B shows another example in which the disaggregated thermostat 510determines control of an HVAC system associated with the property 500based at least on weather information available to the disaggregatedthermostat 510. For example, the disaggregated thermostat 510 of FIG. 5Bhas determined that a user 550 is located in a room of the property 500,and that the temperature in the room where the user 550 is located is72° F. The disaggregated thermostat 510 may further receive informationfrom a sensor 530 b located outside of the property 500 that indicatesthat the outside temperature is 80° F., and may access weather forecastinformation accessible via the thermostat application server 560 thatindicates that the temperature in the region corresponding to thelocation of the property 500 is 80° F. and will be increasing over thenext three hours to an estimated temperature of 84° F. The weatherforecast may further indicate that the high and low temperatures for theday are expected to be 85° F. and 65° F., respectively. Thedisaggregated thermostat 510 may determine, based on the received and/oraccessed information, that the temperature in the occupied room of theproperty 500 is likely to continue to rise and to further diverge fromthe preferred temperature of 70° F. unless the air conditionerassociated with the property is turned on. In response to thisdetermination, the disaggregated thermostat 510 can control the airconditioner associated with the property 500 by turning on the airconditioner, thereby cooling the occupied room of the property 500 tothe preferred temperature.

FIG. 5C shows another example in which the disaggregated thermostatdetermines control of one or more HVAC system components associated withthe property 500 by analyzing weather information available to thedisaggregated thermostat 510. For example, the disaggregated thermostat510 of FIG. 5C has determined that a user 550 is located in a room ofthe property 500, and that the temperature in the room where the user islocated is 72° F. The disaggregated thermostat 510 can further receiveinformation from a sensor 530 b that indicates that the temperature atan outside location near the property 500 is 74° F., and may furtheraccess weather forecast information via the thermostat applicationserver 560 that indicates that the outside temperature in a regioncorresponding to the location of the property 500 is 74° F., will bedecreasing over the next three hours to 66° F., and that the forecasteddaily high and low temperatures are 80° F. and 60° F., respectively. Thedisaggregated thermostat 510 may determine, based on the received and/oraccessed information, that the temperature in the occupied room of theproperty 500 is above the preferred temperature of 70° F., and that theoutside temperature of 74° F. is above both the preferred temperaturefor the property 500 and the temperature of the occupied room of theproperty 500. However, based on determining that the outside temperaturewill be likely decrease and should soon be below the preferredtemperature, the disaggregated thermostat 510 may determine that theoccupied room of the property 500 may eventually cool to the preferredtemperature of 70° F. after the outside temperature decreases below 70°F. As a result, the disaggregated thermostat 510 may determine not toturn on an air conditioner associated with the property 500. In responseto this determination, the disaggregated thermostat 510 can control theair conditioner associated with the property 500 by turning the airconditioner off, or if the air conditioner is already turned off, by notturning on the air conditioner.

In some implementations, the disaggregated thermostat 510 may be capableof determining the level of influence that outside weather conditionshave on various rooms or zones of the property 500. For example, thedisaggregated thermostat 510 may be able to access information that, foreach of one or more different rooms or zones of the property 500,indicates whether the condition of one or more environmental parameterswithin the room or zone is easily affected by outdoor weatherconditions. In some implementations, the disaggregated thermostat 510may access and/or determine such information based on a log ofenvironmental control data for the property 500, in which the outdoorweather is correlated to the environmental conditions within theproperty 500 at various times (e.g., such that each time is a data pointused to determine the correlation). The log may indicate whetherparticular rooms or zones of the property are affected by outdoorweather, and/or the extent to which the outdoor weather affects theenvironmental conditions in the rooms or zones. In otherimplementations, the disaggregated thermostat 510 may be able to accessa thermodynamic model determined for the property 500, and may be ableto determine which rooms or zones of the property 500 are affected byoutdoor weather. For example, the thermodynamic model may indicate thata particular room quickly changes temperature, thereby suggesting thatthe room is poorly insulated. The disaggregated thermostat 510 maydetermine that the room is likely to be easily affected by outdoorweather, based on the room being poorly insulated.

When determining control of an HVAC system, the disaggregated thermostat510 may take into account how easily a particular room or zone of theproperty 500 is affected by outdoor weather. For example, the situationshown in FIG. 5A displays a scenario in which the temperature (72° F.)in an occupied room of the property 500 is above a preferred temperature(70° F.) for the property 500. Additionally, the temperature (68° F.)outside of the property 500 is below the preferred temperature for theproperty 500. Based on determining that the occupied room of theproperty 500 is poorly insulated and therefore greatly affected byoutdoor weather conditions, the disaggregated thermostat 510 maydetermine that the occupied room will likely cool to the preferredtemperature of 70° F. relatively quickly as a result of the outdoortemperature being below the preferred temperature (e.g., within athreshold period of time). The disaggregated thermostat 510 maytherefore turn off or determine not to turn on an air conditionerassociated with the property 500. In another example, based ondetermining that the occupied room of the property 500 is moderatelyinsulated and is therefore moderately affected by outdoor weatherconditions, the disaggregated thermostat 510 may determine to set an airconditioner to a low setting, such that the occupied room 500 will becooled to the preferred temperature based on the combination ofoperating the air conditioner and the outside temperature being belowthe preferred temperature. Based on determining that the occupied roomof the property 500 is well insulated and is therefore only slightlyaffected by outdoor weather, the disaggregated thermostat 510 maydetermine to set an air conditioner to a high setting. As a result, theair conditioner will cool the occupied room to the preferred temperaturewithout additional aid from the outdoor weather, since the outdoortemperature is unlikely to cool the occupied room to a great degree.

In some implementations, the disaggregated thermostat 510 may considerother factors when determining the control of one or more HVAC systemcomponents using weather information. For example the disaggregatedthermostat 510 may consider a rate at which an environmental parameter,such as outdoor temperature or relative humidity, is changing or isexpected to change. In other examples, the disaggregated thermostat 510may consider the expected time until a weather event occurs, forexample, the expected time until the outdoor temperature decreases to atarget temperature. The disaggregated thermostat 510 may determine adifference between an outdoor environmental parameter (e.g., an outdoortemperature or forecasted outdoor temperature) and a preference for theenvironmental parameter or a condition of the environmental parameter inone or more locations of the property 500, and may consider thedifference when determining control of the one or more HVAC systemcomponents. Other weather information may also be considered whendetermining control of the HVAC system using the weather information.For example, the disaggregated thermostat 510 may receive and/ordetermine information indicating a heat index, wind chill, barometricpressure, or other weather information, and may consider suchinformation when determining how to control the one or more HVAC systemcomponents. For example, even if the temperature in the property 500 isslightly above the preferred temperature and an outdoor temperature nearthe property 500 is below the preferred temperature, as shown in FIG.5A, the disaggregated thermostat may still determine to turn on an airconditioner associated with the property 500 if the relative humidity inthe property is above a preferred humidity level, based on thedisaggregated thermostat 510 determining that turning on the airconditioner may reduce the relative humidity within the property 500.

The described systems, methods, and techniques may be implemented indigital electronic circuitry, computer hardware, firmware, software, orin combinations of these elements. Apparatus implementing thesetechniques can include appropriate input and output devices, a computerprocessor, and a computer program product tangibly embodied in amachine-readable storage device for execution by a programmableprocessor. A process implementing these techniques can be performed by aprogrammable processor executing a program of instructions to performdesired functions by operating on input data and generating appropriateoutput. The techniques can be implemented in one or more computerprograms that are executable on a programmable system including at leastone programmable processor coupled to receive data and instructionsfrom, and to transmit data and instructions to, a data storage system,at least one input device, and at least one output device. Each computerprogram can be implemented in a high-level procedural or object-orientedprogramming language, or in assembly or machine language if desired; andin any case, the language can be a compiled or interpreted language.Suitable processors include, by way of example, both general and specialpurpose microprocessors. Generally, a processor will receiveinstructions and data from a read-only memory and/or a random accessmemory. Storage devices suitable for tangibly embodying computer programinstructions and data include all forms of non-volatile memory,including by way of example semiconductor memory devices, such asErasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EPROM), Electrically ErasableProgrammable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), and flash memory devices;magnetic disks such as internal hard disks and removable disks;magneto-optical disks; and Compact Disc Read-Only Memory (CD-ROM). Anyof the foregoing can be supplemented by, or incorporated in, speciallydesigned application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs).

It will be understood that various modifications can be made. Forexample, other useful implementations could be achieved if steps of thedisclosed techniques were performed in a different order and/or ifcomponents in the disclosed systems were combined in a different mannerand/or replaced or supplemented by other components. Accordingly, otherimplementations are within the scope of the disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. A monitoring system that is configured to monitora property, the monitoring system comprising: a sensor that isconfigured to generate sensor data that reflects an environmentalcondition of a first region of the property; a controller that isconfigured to control an HVAC system of the property based on anenvironmental condition setting and that is configured to generatecontroller data that reflects an environmental condition of a secondregion of the property; and a monitor control unit that is configuredto: receive, at a first time, first sensor data that reflects theenvironmental condition of the first region of the property at the firsttime and first controller data that reflects the environmental conditionof the second region of the property at the first time; receive, at asecond time, second sensor data that reflects the environmentalcondition of the first region of the property at the second time andsecond controller data that reflects the environmental condition of thesecond region of the property at the second time; based on the firstsensor data, the first controller data, the second sensor data, thesecond controller data, and the environmental condition setting,generate a model that relates the environmental condition of the firstregion of the property, the environmental condition of the second regionof the property, and the environmental condition setting, the generatedmodel indicating heat flows through regions within the property; receivea user-specified environmental condition setting for the first region ofthe property; based on the model that relates the environmentalcondition of the first region of the property, the environmentalcondition of the second region of the property, and the environmentalcondition setting and based on the user-specified environmentalcondition setting: determine, from the model, that heat will flowbetween another region of the property and the first region of theproperty, and determine a particular environmental condition setting forthe controller in view of the determination that heat will flow betweenanother region of the property and the first region of the property; andsend, to the controller, the particular environmental condition settingto use in controlling the HVAC system of the property.
 2. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the monitor control unit is configured to receive theuser-specified environmental condition setting for the first region ofthe property by: receiving, from a user, the user-specifiedenvironmental condition setting; and determining that the user islocated in the first region of the property.
 3. The system of claim 2,wherein the monitor control unit is configured to determine that theuser is located in the first region of the property by: monitoring alocation of a mobile device of the user.
 4. The system of claim 2,comprising: an additional sensor that is configured to generateadditional sensor data that reflects an attribute of the first region ofthe property; and wherein the monitor control unit is configured todetermine that the user is located in the first region of the propertybased on the additional sensor data.
 5. The system of claim 1, whereinthe monitor control unit is configured to: receive environmentalcondition data for the geographical location of the property; anddetermine the particular environmental condition setting for thecontroller based on the environmental condition data for thegeographical location of the property.
 6. The system of claim 1, whereinthe environmental condition of the first region of the property, theenvironmental condition of the second region of the property, theenvironmental condition setting, and the user-specified environmentalcondition setting are temperature or humidity settings.
 7. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the HVAC system is at least one of an air conditioner,furnace, humidifier, dehumidifier, fan, or boiler.
 8. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the monitor control unit is configured to determine aparticular environmental condition setting for the controller by:determining that the environmental condition of the first region of theproperty will change at a different rate than the environmentalcondition of the second region of the property; and based on determiningthat the environmental condition of the first region of the propertywill change at the different rate than the environmental condition ofthe second region of the property, determining the particularenvironmental condition setting for the controller.
 9. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the first region of the property and the second regionof the property are different regions.
 10. The system of claim 1,wherein the control is configured to: receive the user-specifiedenvironmental condition setting for the first region of the property ata third time that is after the second time that is after the first time.11. A computer-implemented method comprising: receiving, by a monitoringsystem that is configured to monitor a property, at a first time, andfrom a sensor, first sensor data that reflects an environmentalcondition of the first region of the property at the first time;receiving, by the monitoring system, at the first time, and from acontroller that is configured to control an HVAC system of the propertybased on an environmental condition setting, first controller data thatreflects the environmental condition of the second region of theproperty at the first time; receiving, by the monitoring system, at asecond time, and from the sensor, second sensor data that reflects theenvironmental condition of the first region of the property at thesecond time; receiving, by the monitoring system, at the second time,and from the controller, second controller data that reflects theenvironmental condition of the second region of the property at thesecond time; based on the first sensor data, the first controller data,the second sensor data, the second controller data, and theenvironmental condition setting, generating, by the monitoring system, amodel that relates the environmental condition of the first region ofthe property, the environmental condition of the second region of theproperty, and the environmental condition setting, the generated modelindicating heat flows through regions within the property; receiving, bythe monitoring system, a user-specified environmental condition settingfor the first region of the property; based on the model that relatesthe environmental condition of the first region of the property, theenvironmental condition of the second region of the property, and theenvironmental condition setting and based on the user-specifiedenvironmental condition setting: determining, from the model, that heatwill flow between another region of the property and the first region ofthe property, and determining, by the monitoring system, a particularenvironmental condition setting for the controller in view of thedetermination that heat will flow between another region of the propertyand the first region of the property; and sending, by the monitoringsystem and to the controller, the particular environmental conditionsetting to use in controlling the HVAC system of the property.
 12. Themethod of claim 11, wherein receiving the user-specified environmentalcondition setting for the first region of the property comprises:receiving, from a user, the user-specified environmental conditionsetting; and determining that the user is located in the first region ofthe property.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein determining that theuser is located in the first region of the property comprises:monitoring a location of a mobile device of the user.
 14. The method ofclaim 12, comprising: receiving, by the monitoring system and from anadditional sensor, additional sensor data that reflects an attribute ofthe first region of the property, wherein determining that the user islocated in the first region of the property based on the additionalsensor data.
 15. The method of claim 11, comprising: receiving, by themonitoring system, environmental condition data for the geographicallocation of the property, wherein determining the particularenvironmental condition setting for the controller is based on theenvironmental condition data for the geographical location of theproperty.
 16. The method of claim 11, wherein the environmentalcondition of the first region of the property, the environmentalcondition of the second region of the property, the environmentalcondition setting, and the user-specified environmental conditionsetting are temperature or humidity settings.
 17. The method of claim11, wherein determining a particular environmental condition setting forthe controller comprises: determining that the environmental conditionof the first region of the property will change at a different rate thanthe environmental condition of the second region of the property; andbased on determining that the environmental condition of the firstregion of the property will change at the different rate than theenvironmental condition of the second region of the property,determining the particular environmental condition setting for thecontroller.
 18. The method of claim 11, comprising: receiving, by themonitoring system, the user-specified environmental condition settingfor the first region of the property at a third time that is after thesecond time that is after the first time.